The Underground Railroad eBook

SOLOMON BROWN.

ARRIVED PER CITY OF RICHMOND.

This candidate for Canada managed to secure a private
berth on the steamship City of Richmond. He was
thus enabled to leave his old mistress, Mary A. Ely,
in Norfolk, the place of her abode, and the field
of his servitude. Solomon was only twenty-two
years of age, rather under the medium size, dark color,
and of much natural ability. He viewed Slavery
as a great hardship, and for a length of time had been
watching for an opportunity to free himself.
He had been in the habit of hiring his time of his
mistress, for which he paid ten dollars per month.
This amount failed to satisfy the mistress, as she
was inclined to sell him to North Carolina, where
Slave stock, at that time, was commanding high prices.
The idea of North Carolina and a new master made Solomon
rather nervous, and he was thereby prompted to escape.
On reaching the Committee he manifested very high
appreciation of the attention paid him, and after
duly resting for a day, he was sent on his way rejoicing.
Seven days after leaving Philadelphia, he wrote back
from Canada as follows:

ST. CATHARINES, Feb. 20th,
1854.

MR. STILL—­DEAR SIR:—­It
is with great pleasure that I have to inform you,
that I have arrived safe in a land of freedom.
Thanks to kind friends that helped me here.
Thank God that I am treading on free soil.
I expect to go to work to-morrow in a steam factory.

I would like to have you, if it is not
too much trouble, see Mr. Minhett, the steward
on the boat that I came out on, when he gets to
Norfolk, to go to the place where my clothes are, and
bring them to you, and you direct them to the care
of Rev. Hiram Wilson, St. Catharines, Niagara
District, Canada West, by rail-road via Suspension
Bridge. You mentioned if I saw Mr. Foreman.
I was to deliver a message—­he is not here.
I saw two yesterday in church, from Norfolk, that
I had known there. You will send my name,
James Henry, as you knew me by that name; direct
my things to James Henry. My love to your wife
and children.

Yours Respectfully,

SOLOMON BROWN.

* * * *
*

WILLIAM HOGG, ALIAS JOHN SMITH.

TRAVELER FROM MARYLAND.

William fled from Lewis Roberts, who followed farming
in Baltimore county, Md. In speaking of him,
William gave him the character of being a “fierce
and rough man,” who owned nine head of slaves.
Two of William’s sisters were held by Roberts,
when he left. His excuse for running away was,
“ill-treatment.” In traveling North,
he walked to Columbia (in Pennsylvania), and there
took the cars for Philadelphia. The Committee
took charge of him, and having given him the usual
aid, sent him hopefully on his way. After safely
reaching Canada, the thought of his wife in a land
of bondage, pressed so deeply upon his mind, that
he was prompted to make an effort to rescue her.
The following letter, written on his behalf by the
Rev. H. Wilson, indicates his feelings and wishes
with regard to her: